as I read this, the GM is not just a fund-raiser. the GM will play a key role in deciding which player gets how much money. again, when (if) the House settlement kicks in, MN will be distributing roughly $22-million in revenue sharing to its athletes. the article refers to this job as "managing the salary cap."
having a GM make those decisions on who gets how much $$ helps insulate the coaches.
and make no mistake, there will be tough decisions to make. not just how much $$ is allocated to each sport, but dividing the money among players. How much $$ goes to the QB - how much to the WR - etc. hand out too much money to the skill positions, and you wind up with no money for the linemen.
I don't think it's over-exaggerating to say that this new position will be the most important in the athletic department - certainly more important than Coyle.